The best LED TV and plasma HDTVs to buy 2014

Updated: Which HDTV, 3D and Smart TV should you buy? Read our round-up

Sony KD65X9005BBU

If the array of speakers either side of the 65-inch Triluminos display fail to catch your attention, the 4K picture quality with X-Reality Pro will. It packs a powerful smart TV punch, as well as a built-in camera and wedge design for keeping its living room footprint to a minimum. Really expensive, but this is a television with some serious credentials.

Bang and Olufsen BeoVision 11

It's a year old and probably not the best TV when it comes to smart apps, but the sheer capability of its picture and sound (yes, the built in speakers are a treat) make the Bang and Olufsen BeoVision 11 a worthy bit of kit. Which you would expect at more than £5,000. There's really nothing like it if luxury is your thing.

Sony KDL-40W605B

Cheap is a relative term, but there's definitely too cheap when it comes to a TV. So if you have less than £500, the Sony KDL-40W605B is definitely a contender for your hard-earned cash. It has a sharp picture, stylish design that looks more expensive than it is and plenty of features to keep you busy. Admittedly there are thinner alternatives and the sound quality is passable at best, but little else can match the value for money offered here.

Samsung UE65HU8500

Not only is the Samsung UE65HU8500 cheaper than its predecessor, it blows it out of the water in various other ways. The picture quality from the 65-inch LCD display is class-leading, while the 3D is just as good. It has a slight curve so it stands out in a sea of flat designs and comes with a connection box that is separate from the TV. So no more misery trying to reach behind the TV to connect a new device.

Sony Bravia W85

Want to keep it HD until prices die down and the 4K medium becomes more stable? Not a bad idea, especially when televisions like the Sony Bravia W85 offer top-notch picture quality. At 65 inches, this is not a TV for a small lounge, even if the design has supermodel proportions. Integrated WiFi and a special motion processor for keeping a picture smooth make the Sony a winner.

Samsung UE55HU7500

Those who want a top-spec Samsung but without a curved display can go for the UE55HU7500. What it lacks in a stylish stand, it more than makes up for with 55 inches of ultra high-definition viewing pleasure, an ultra-slim design and 4K Netflix support. While a bit slow for gamers, everyone else will appreciate Samsung's unrivalled smart TV offering.

LG 47LB730V

Stylish? You bet. Bright and clear picture? Oh yes. Powered by WebOS? Yep, wait what? No we're not kidding, the LG 47LB730V uses an ill-fated mobile operating system to give you one slick device. At 47 inches, it's more than big enough for the average living room. Meanwhile the high-definition resolution is perfect for current DVD and Blu-ray discs. Impressive price, too.

Panasonic TX­50AX802

Panasonic makes a number of cracking televisions and the TX50AX802 is no exception. The picture quality is nothing short of fantastic, while the svelte design makes it living room friendly. At 50 inches and with 4K at its disposal, there's very little it can't do. A plethora of connections round off a wise choice for your viewing habits.

Sony KDL-50W829B

This Sony TV is a relative bargain given its fresh from 2014, 50-inches in size, offers excellent picture quality and the sort of smart TV functionality that's hard to go back from. The whole set is stylish, well built and not too space-consuming. There's also reasonable 3D capability and decent sound quality. For a TV, anyway.

LG 84LM960V

Coming in at a whopping 84 inches, this isn't a TV for the faint of heart. 3D comes as standard, as does a 4K LCD display, 7 pairs of 3D glasses and an Ultra HD screen. The Magic Remote may look complicated but it can be set up to control every other device in your living room, curing remote-clutter syndrome. Despite its incredible features and hefty size, it's still managed to earn an A energy efficiency rating - we're sold, even at this eye-watering price tag.

Samsung KE55S9C

Boasting an ergonomic curve that mimics the shape of the human eye, this Samsung OLED release provides a stunning viewing experience. An integrated camera makes Skype and other interactive features easy, and the self-lighting OLED lights remove the need for a bulky backlight, ensuring top quality colours and a slim design.

It also signals an end to arguing over which channel to watch - the Multi View glasses mean you can watch two channels at once, both with full HD and sound quality - it must be magic. Sadly it's not optimised for 4K, but everything else is impressive enough to earn it a place on our list.

Sony X900B

Take a deep breath before reading, this beast is packed with features. It's 3D; 4K; fitted with Dolby speakers; an LED backlight with X-tended Dynamic Range; glass fibre speakers with ClearAudio+ technology; Triluminos technology to enhance the depth and brilliance of colour; and a one-flick remote that makes scrolling through all the features super easy. Phew. This impressive machine comes in 55", 65" and 79" sizes, so if you live in a mansion or don't mind your TV to take up 90% of your living room, this is the TV for you.

LG OLED 55EA880W Gallery

The unique aspect of this OLED television is that it is completely flat, allowing for efficient wall-mounting, a first for an OLED set. The Gallery name itself comes from a mode where you can fill the 55-inch screen with high-res art – from famous artists like Van Gogh and Gauguin, while the bezel actually mimics that of a photo frame.

Philips Elevation Smart TV

Packing a super-slim design of just 13.5mm thick, this 60-inch Smart TV is definitely a looker. It’s unique feature though is how it works with the Philips Hue lighting system, allowing you to control the light around the television from an app on your smartphone. This apparently creates a much more immersive viewing experience, though we’ll have to test it out properly before we can say as much. As with any high-end set, you’ll get 3D support, 2D-3D conversion, Wi-Fi and access to a load of apps.

Philips UHD 9000 series

The UHD 9000 series features two televisions – a 65-inch model and an 84-inch version, both of these come boasting a resolution of 3,840x2,160 and backlit LED displays. Ambilight tech is on board as well, adding an extra bit of colour to the viewing experience. Audio is taken care of thanks to 15 watt speakers on the 65-inch model and two 25 watt speakers on the larger version. Both models fully support Philips’ Smart TV service, along with 3D.

Samsung PS51F8500ST

Samsung’s top of the line TV is a scorcher. Ditching LCD for Plasma, yet ramping up the brightness so the colours pop, but the blacks stay as dark as they should be. The awesome contrast ratio, active shutter 3D and myriad of smart TV functions just increase the functionality of this beast, while the sleek ‘Magnum’ design means it’ll sit pride of place in your lounge.

Philips 42PFL6188S

Philip’s Ambilight system is put to great use in this stonkingly great value TV, adding an extra dimension to your viewing pleasure. By taking the dominant colours from the screen, Ambilight projects these onto the wall, extending the experience away from solely the 42 inch screen. This feature is improved further by a super slim bezel. Aluminium and glass are used in abundance for the construction to give a premium and classy look, while a dual core processor takes care of all the smart TV related extras.

Toshiba L7 Series

Following on from 2012's highly-rated model, Toshiba came back even stronger with the L7 series, integrating mobile apps, full HD resolution and improved Smart TV functions. Toshiba’s Cloud TV, which uses the in-built Wi-Fi, learns your favourite programmes; while Intel WiDi compatibility lets you hook up your laptop to the display, sans wires. Full HD 3D is present too, with 2D converting and bundled, lightweight active glasses. The series comes in 40", 47" and 55".

LG 42LA690V

If you’re looking for a TV that won’t require you to take out a second mortgage on your home to afford, then this almost bezel free beauty from LG could be the perfect choice. Passive 3D is supported; with LG even chucking in 6 pairs of 3D glasses so no one must miss out on the action. A nifty Magic Remote, which utilises gestures, makes navigating through the Smart Home features a breeze, and it's available in 42", 47" or 55".

Loewe Connect ID 46

The stand-out feature of this TV may not be the strong LED screen, 3D compatibility or dual Freesat tuners with integrated hard-drives, but the unique customisation options that allow you to choose from 2,160 different combos. You can choose your colour, mounting options, hard drive storage amount and even the type of 3D it uses to make it truly personal.